Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi Urges ECI to Conduct Special Summary Revision in Manipur After Restoration of Peace and Stability in State

The Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi (MTFD) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in Manipur in a phased manner—only after peace and stability are restored in all conflict-affected zones, alongside concrete steps toward the resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced tribal families.

The forum stated that the electoral roll revision must not be seen merely as a technical process but as a test of democratic inclusiveness and institutional trust.

MTFD issued a release on Friday, outlining several measures to be undertaken before conducting the SSR in Manipur. The forum recommended initiating confidence-building measures, including the establishment of neutral mechanisms and independent observers, to ensure transparency and fairness in the verification process.

The forum also urged for the provision of special camps in relief centers and tribal areas, to be manned by impartial officials and coordinated with recognized civil society organizations (CSOs), in order to facilitate voter inclusion and recognize alternate documents in place of identity or address proofs lost due to the conflict.

Furthermore, the forum made an appeal for sensitivity, inclusivity, and transparency in conducting this crucial democratic exercise at a time when normalcy is yet to return, and thousands of members of the Kuki-Zo communities remain displaced from their ancestral homes.

MTFD emphasized that it fully understands and supports the need to maintain up-to-date electoral rolls as a constitutional imperative. However, it urged the ECI and concerned state authorities to take into account the extraordinary ground realities before proceeding with any revisions.

The release highlighted that the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, has left tens of thousands of Kuki-Zo displaced. Many continue to live in relief camps or are sheltered outside Manipur, having lost access to their homes, official documents, and local administrative services.

In such circumstances, any electoral exercise that does not account for the displaced population risks widespread disenfranchisement and may inadvertently deepen the sense of exclusion already felt by the tribal communities, the release stated.

The forum also appealed to tribal civil society organizations operating in Kuki-Zo administered areas—including village authorities, student bodies, youth organizations, and women’s groups—to take up this matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency.

“It is imperative that every effort is made to ensure that displaced persons are identified, documented, and supported in safeguarding their electoral rights. The SSR should not be allowed to proceed in a manner that unintentionally legitimizes the outcomes of violence and displacement. Our people must remain vigilant and proactive, and CSOs must immediately begin consultations with stakeholders on how best to coordinate voter protection and data verification,” the release added.